Election: UPDATE-Lake Metroparks levy up in the air, Geauga Park District levy passes

One local parks district is celebrating a levy victory while another awaits the result of a recount.

Lake Metroparks' levy, which included replacement of a 0.3-mill operating levy plus additional 0.5 mills, was passed by 330 votes, 55,070 to 54,740, according to unofficial final returns from the Lake County Elections Board.

However, because the race was closer than a 0.50 percent margin, an automatic recount will be conducted.

The levy would yield about $2.7 million annually for the district and cost taxpayers $18.72 per $100,000 of property valuation, according to the Lake County Auditor's Office.

Whether the unofficial count holds true or not, Palagyi said the district will continue its efforts.

"One way or another we've got a great park system and we're going to work hard to keep it great," he said.

Also, Lake County received 3,187 provisional ballots. The elections board will meet on Nov. 19 to approve the validity of these ballots and the results will be released on Nov. 27, said Scott Daisher, director of the Lake County Board of Elections.

Meanwhile in Geauga County, voters passed the proposed levy by a 26,765 to 21,480 tally, according to unofficial final results from the Geauga County Elections Board.

"It's very gratifying for me to know that the voters believe in what we do and how we do it," said Geauga Parks District Executive Director Tom Curtin.

The 1-mill, 20-year levy replaces one passed in 1993. The district will allow a 1995 levy, also worth 1 mill, to expire at the end of the year.

The replacement levy will cost taxpayers $30.63 a year per $100,000 of property valuation to yield more than $2.9 million annually for the district.

"As we look ahead, we'll be able to wrap up our bike trail project, move ahead with fundraising efforts and take care of maintenance projects," Curtin said.